Winter Eye Care

But it turns out that the winter can be equally harmful, if not even worse, on your eyes.

Here's some sun protection.

Sunglasses

Yes, you still need them.

The glare bouncing off reflective surfaces in the city (including the glass and aluminum buildings, a the glare from car hoods and windshields in a full parking lot in the afternoon and even cement) can reflect the sun's UV rays directly into your eyes.

Outdoor Protection

You need sunglasses, or sun goggles for another reason. If you're planning on some winter adventure sports, snow can be a blindingly reflective surface for sun rays, and can, in fact tan you. Or worse - it can even sunburn the surface of the eyes.

Even driving through snowy terrain on a sunny day requires sunglasses.

Medicines like birth-control pills, sulfa antibiotics, diuretics, and tranquilizers can speed up the time in which you get sunburned, because they make your eyes and skin (especially the delicate under-eye skin more sensitive)

Putting up outdoor winter decorations, or working in snow can also expose your eyes to dust particulate in the winter.

Eye Dryness

The winter air dries out the eyes. So does the use of indoor heating during the winter, which kills air moisture, and may cause irritation and dryness, causing people to rub their eyes. Counter this with eye drops (artificial tears), available at any local chemist and apply a few times everyday, or as recommended for relief. You can also buy a humidifier to replace the air's lost moisture content.

Under eye Moisture

Apply a good quality eye cream for the winter months, both morning and night to prevent premature aging and wrinkles from skin damage. (Health, MensXP.com)